Forum Discussion

atrinh15's avatar
atrinh15
Explorer
Feb 13, 2015

Looking to purchase my first TT

So im looking to purchase my first TT and im looking at a 2007 Fleetwood Wilderness 32ft. It has quad bunks 1 slide and queen bed. Are there things I should be looking for during the purchase. Ive been reading a lot of forums with people having leaks and damage to the trailer. Any help would be appreciated. And if anyone has bought this type of trailer please let me know how it has been.

Thanks in advance
atrinh15
  • That's going to be quite a bit of TT for a Tundra. I wouldn't want to pull it very far with that truck.
  • We had a smaller wilderness with bunk beds and was not pleased with it. If we had bought a bigger one like you are looking at we would probably still have it as the we had was too small. Otherwise we really liked the Wilderness.

    You will get lots of advise here so I will give you just a few pointers. Go to every window and push on the walls around them if the wood gives there has been leakage and the walls are rotted. Also do the same around the door and the vents and AC units. Get on the roof and check for the condition up there. If you see the AC units sagging the roof, that is a sign that there could be leakage around them and water will accumulate there when it rains. If you are unsure about the roof, take it to an independent RV repair shop (avoid dealers as they will want to sell you a trailer and may not give you a true evaluation).

    Outside the trailer examine the window, door, and around the water heater and fridge for signs of leakage. If there are gaps between the sealant and these places, this is another sign that there may be leakage.

    The biggest thing it to look at the trailer like it is one its last leg and you are trying to find anything good about it. DO NOT glaze over problems as if they are not really that bad. Assume the worst possible scenario for each thing. We never had any problems with our wilderness except it was too small for the 5 of us. It pulled great and handled very well in crosswinds.

    If we had a vehicle big enough to pull a TT, Wilderness would have been on my list. But we didn't and found the MH we bought, a rough gem for a great price. I have a bucket list of things we want to do to her but that is just to make her ours, and not just like every other one that is still in use.

    Good luck and happy traveling.
  • Awning condition? Crawl underneath the trailer and give it a look. Stowage compartments....look inside to see if any leaks.
  • Its the second owner and he hasnt used it much at all. Its been parked for four years. So tires are probably cracked or original. im going to go see it sometime soon. Only if the snow lets up here in Massachusetts.

    Pulling it with my 08 tundra crewmax. Wife and kids (3and 1). Wont be pulling it a whole lot. Mainly using it at my camp so i can fix the house.
  • +1 on what Handey said.

    If you're purchasing from an individual, you may take it to a local dealer to let them do an inspection before you purchase it. They're typically not busy this time of year, and it would be a few bucks well spent. If it's good to go, you paid for peace of mind. If it's bad, it will save you from buying a piece of junk.
  • Look for:

    Water stains on floors walls, and ceiling (look in all cabinets and closets)

    Discolored vinyl flooring

    Soft spots in the floor

    If it has laminated sides, look for waves in the surface.

    On the outside look for cracked or missing trim pieces with rusted screw heads underneath.

    All of the above, are indicators of poosible leaks.

    Do an operational check of all systems.

    Ask the age of tires and date of last packing or replacement of the wheel
    bearings.

    Ask if they have loaded weights on the trailer (gross and tongue weight), and make sure your tow vehicle is rated to pull it.

    At the age of that unit, it really doesn't matter who the manufacturer was. The key to it's condition is how previous owners took care of it.